CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
Agnus Dei; Sanctus; Benedictus;
Requiem
Various Artists, Naxos of America, Inc.
A four-CD set embracing the vocal and instrumental
music of composers as diverse as renaissance England's William
Byrd to J.S. Bach and Mozart, Reflection and Meditation is an
eclectic compilation of musical traditions unified by the concept
that music is one of man's greatest vehicles for spiritual expression
and communication.
The four discs provide a broad and often moving overview
of sacred music over the centuries. However, listeners locked
into a particular musical epoch may find Verdi's "Requiem" inaccessible,
just as die-hard aficionados of Dowland often have difficulty appreciating
19th-century compositions. The breadth
of the collection may very well be the source of its betrayal,
since many-if not most-music lovers are emotionally connected
to one or two eras, but not to four centuries of disparate musical
traditions. Reflection and Meditation is therefore best appreciated
by those with eclectic tastes and a broad knowledge of European
music.
In all fairness, I would also not recommend this
collection to listeners without a spiritual orientation to life,
or to those who shy away from things darkly shaded and contemplative.
But the Reflection and Meditation CD set will be well-received
by those versed in the history of western classical composition
and by those who appreciate fine music of all eras.
If one is open to spiritual music from post-renaissance
eras, then this modestly priced, well-recorded, and beautifully
performed collection of (mostly) sacred writings from western
Europe's greatest composers is highly recommended.
Marc Cramer
© 2001
Shelton CT 06484 USA
(800) 232-2224 voice
(800) 775-2729 fax
LadyJanet@RenaissanceMagazine.com